The 2025 British Audio Awards

"Him, Audible’s top-performing thriller of the year, was a slick and ambitious audio package. Judges admired the polished production that enhanced JD Kirk’s script, including 3D sound effects that lent a cinematic quality.

"'I was completely gripped,' said one judge. 'It’s really visceral… it could easily have gone over the top, but it feels completely authentic.'

"They also liked the pitch-perfect narration of Louise Brealey and David Tennant – who brings a second Speakies award back to the Tennant household, alongside wife Georgia in the Romance category."

"It could have been hard to fire new interest in a book that was published 37 years ago and had just been turned into a blockbuster Disney+ series. WF Howes and actor Georgia Tennant managed it with an exuberant interpretation that was the perfect foil to print and TV.

"'The narration is very entertaining and the differentiation of the ensemble of characters is excellent,' the judges said. This award is testament to the enduring popularity of Jilly Cooper, who died in October.

"Monica Dolan’s narration captured all the emotion and trauma of Jo Hamilton’s memoir of the Post Office Horizon scandal.

"'Brilliant casting and brilliant acting of an extraordinary story,' said the judges. 'It shows how audio can provide great new ways to connect with audiences that a book wouldn’t otherwise reach.'

"They also admired the extra content of a conversation between author and narrator, and Bonnier’s sensitively handled campaigns that brought the pair together for media appearances and promotional content."

"The compelling audiobook of this memoir was not just one of the ways to hear Sarah Wynn-Williams’ voice: after former employer Meta secured a gagging order, it was the only way. Production at Strathmore Studios had to be done in top secret, and Pan Macmillan took excellent care of the author-narrator throughout.

"'This feels like the audiobook of the moment,' said the judges. 'The narration is just brilliant and added so much to the story… everything was really well handled.'"

"Bolinda brought all its specialist audio skills to bear on a sensitively adapted and powerfully narrated version of Patrick Ness’ LGBTQ+ story. Alex Wingfield had the lived experiences and voice-acting skills to do full justice to the emotional depth of the book, which judges said had 'a beautiful intensity' to it: 'Audiobooks can sometimes feel a bit clinical, but this is moving and powerful… it also reaches people who wouldn’t be able to access the story, which is a massive thing.'"

"Mark Gatiss was the perfect choice for this re-recording of Fleming’s 1957 classic, From Russia with Love – part of a suite of new versions undertaken by rights holder Ian Fleming Publications.

"A fan of the series, his sharp, characterful delivery captures the wit, pace and atmosphere that helped cement 007 as a cultural icon. The judges praised his crystal-clear delivery, timing, pacing, characterisation and palpable love for Fleming's prose. Gatiss could have over-performed, but his restraint allowed the words to live and Fleming's main character to do his job – spoken and heard."

"Saifie was shortlisted for her work across three audiobooks, demonstrating the breadth of her skills and narration. Represented by Harvey Voices, Saifie is an actor, voiceover artist and dancer, born and based in London.

"Judges praised her performances for their wide emotional range and real intensity – but also the prep work she puts in before recording begins. In her submission, Saifie said that although she was early in her audiobook career, she had 'fallen completely in love with the medium'. The judges agreed that this showed in her performances."